Code of Practice for Victims of Crime

The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (the Victims' Code) was launched on 3 April 2006.

It sets out the minimum standards of services victims can expect to receive from each agency within the criminal justice system, and offers an enhanced service for vulnerable or intimidated victims.

For the first time victims are also given the legal right to appeal should they feel that any agency hasn't met their obligations.

If any victim feels that they haven't received the level of service they're entitled to under the Code, and are dissatisfied with the response to their complaint, they can take their case to the Parliamentary Ombudsman via their MP.

Victim and witness care is already a priority for Derbyshire CPS, but the Code gives us the opportunity to show that were committed to improving the level of service we provide. We will:

• Inform victims, either directly or through the police, if we decide not to charge someone in relation to their case. They will be notified within five working days of this decision being made; vulnerable and intimidated witnesses will be told within one working day.
• Tell victims, within five working days, if we decide to drop or substantially alter the charges after someone has been charged with the offence. Vulnerable and intimidated witnesses will again be informed within one working day.
• Offer to meet the victim or the victims family to discuss this decision if the case involved a death caused by criminal conduct, child abuse, sexual offences, racially or religiously aggravated offences or offences with a homophobic or transphobic element.
• Ensure that a representative from the CPS introduces themselves to the victim at court, answer any questions and gives an indication of waiting times.
• Pay the victim expenses within ten working days of receiving the completed claim form.
• Answer any question the victim has about the sentence in their case when referred by the Witness Care Unit.

The Office for Criminal Justice Reform has produced A Guide for Victims which summarises the obligations placed on each agency within the criminal justice system.

To read our responsibilities - and those of other CJS agencies - in full please refer to the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.

For details of how to complain to the Parliamentary Ombudsman refer to the leafelt - The Victims' Code: How to Complain.